EcoChic Geneva Celebrates the International Year of Biodiversity in Fashion

The UN has declared 2010 the International Year of Biodiversity, and--though 2009 has just drawn to a close--we are looking forward to EcoChic Geneva on January 20-21, 2009 at the Palais des Nations, the UN headquarters in Geneva. The event is a collaboration between Green2greener and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the series of activities will focus on natural fibers, sustainable development, and--you guessed it--biodiversity and will include a seminar, sustainable fashion exhibition, and fashion show featuring ready-to-wear and couture collections by top sustainable designers:The EcoChic Geneva Fashion Show and Exhibition will feature designers in two parts: Eco-Couture and Ready-to-Wear. From their website:

The Eco-Couture designers are a prestigious selection of international designers who have been invited to design and create a dramatic showpiece look out of sustainable textiles specifically for this event. Many of the designers have turned to their cultural heritage and country's myths and folklore for inspiration. For some, it is the first time they have worked with sustainable textiles but all have embraced the opportunity to make a statement about sustainability through fashion.

The EcoChic Geneva Ready-to-Wear looks have been selected from established sustainable fashion labels with fashion and accessory collections inspired by an ecological and ethical philosophy. For many, the primary focus is the choice and provenance of materials and the use of more efficient and eco-friendly processing techniques. For others, it extends to include fairer employment models or design and production processes that empower communities in developing countries.

High fashion eco-couture designers include Diane von Furstenberg, Thakoon Panichgul, John Rocha, and Reem Alasadi, and ethical ready-to-wear labels Deux FM, Edun, Eco Boudoir, Made, Noir, Bahar Shaphar, Fin Oslo, and The Andean Collection. Visit EcoChic Geneva for the complete list, and keep tuned we'll be looking at our favorite designers collections in the days leading up to this landmark event.